The next morning Issei woke up and a pure high-pitched whining in his ears, his mind void of any thoughts he sat up in the bed and his arms had a weird pain shooting through them he looked at his arms and saw black veins growing on his arms taking scale form and other scales taking formation on other parts of his body
Issei: " Ddraig... "
Ddraig: What's troubling you?
Issei: " my arms..."
Ddraig: It's the falling, it seems like your fall is the dying fall...
Issei: "What if we do the transformation now...?"
Ddraig: There is a 50-50 shot of it failing, It hardly worked with other users that went down this path we can try but it might kill you I want you to think about it first before I do it
Issei: "Fair but what do we do about this "
He traced one of the veins with his finger and he could feel a tingling feeling from the vain he then traced some of the scales and they felt sharp but also as stiff as a stone
Ddraig: I won't lie about it, this is bad the other dragons around you will feel the fall and react accordingly to their relationships with you
Issei:" Fitting... I have a numbness in my soul, so this is kind of fitting that I'm dying so it looks like they are where the death of me...perfect"
Ddraig: I'll try and see if there is a way to either slow it down or stop it entirely... but I would suggest telling someone that you can confide in It can help settle the nerves while I look into either perfecting the transformation or find a way to slow this down
Issei: "... Ill see how today goes... maybe... I don't know yet "
Ddraig: Rest up Issei, This isn't going to be your end that much I promise you.
Issei: "Thanks Ddraig "
He looked at the room he was in and then took in the room and saw how empty it felt it wasn't even like he was in the room itself it was cold and empty.
He just walked to the training ground and then did a few morning stretches then started some weights training, he started with his arms and then, pain rushed through his body, and he dropped the weight and held his arm and winced in pain
Issei: (in pain) damnit...
He held his arm where the veins formed and held it in pain and fell over trying not to let out a scream on the floor
Ddraig: breath, take deep breaths and relax as best you can it should subside, your body is slowly giving up and it's going to become weaker than you are the more you strain your body I suggest not doing any training for the time being it could possibly speed up the process and shorten your life even further
He nodded and started to control his breathing and let the pain subside after a few minutes he started to feel better yet his body was still filled with pain but it was manageable for him
Issei: "I need to be stronger to fight Sairaorg, I have to show him how strong I can get "
Ddraig: After Kyoto, you've unlocked your true strength in a sense and you would have gotten stronger but due to current circumstances you can't or you'll only end up killing you faster, In the end, the strain the promotions give may be your downfall altogether so try and keep your life longer and maybe it will give me time to see if we can prevent this
Issei: "Fine but just that little bit made it spread look... "
Moving along his arms to his chest and slowly onto his back and legs
Issei:" No one can see this I don't need fake affection from any of them. "
Ddraig: Agreed, then I suggest not doing anything that will strain you, but talk to either the angel, the phoenix girl or even the Valkyrie They seem to have you're your best interest.
Issei: If Irina moves in with me then maybe she and Ravel, I'll tell Rossweisse sensei but I'm not sure how she could handle it She's a lot like Irina they are both soft souls even Ravel she wouldn't say it herself, but I see it, but honestly, I don't want people feeling sorry for me I don't want anyone's pity
Ddraig: spoken like a true dragon but Albion's and Vritra's hosts will see it when they see you and tell their hosts
Issei: Then they will know by then I'll be gone.
He got changed and wore a long shirt to cover up the markings growing on his arms and his body he sat in the lounge looking at the furniture in his new apartment and what he should change or fix
Issei: "It's nice simple and enough, Maybe change it up if I'm still around, the place is cheap enough to look after and I have enough money."
Ddraig: It's up to you partner...
Issei then stood in the window way and watched the sunrise and stood with his thoughts
Useless, pathetic perverted idiot, ungrateful brat, jackass, you won't ever have any women in your life
A few tears ran down his face They killed him and right now there was nothing that he could do, but just sit around and fighting Sairaorg might just be his last thread, he felt a pair of arms around him his heart raced from their touch he loved having her arms around him, but the presence behind him he wanted to hit, he looked back and saw rias holding him
Rias: issei...
Issei: Get off me, nothing you say now will change anything...
Even when he really needed to be held He pulled her arms off him and walked away, she stood there with tears in her eyes and heartbroken the impact of her actions was showing, and she didn't know how to fix it all she wanted to do was hold him and feel his warmth from his body but even she did hold him he felt cold to the touch
Issei went to his room feeling nothing no anger no sadness no hatred just a numbing feeling at the back of his head.
Issei:" Now I'm wanted around "
He opened his door to find them still in his room either waking up or changing, They didn't scream but looked happy to see him but he didn't even look in their direction he took his uniform and left and shut the door
Asia: (sad) We hurt him so much.
Xenovia: we were unfair to him now he won't even look at us...
Koneko:(sad) I think I struck a chord when I said he won't have any women in his life
Xenovia: What's wrong with us...
With issei
He was just walking not really thinking he opened a random door then walked in and closed the door, when he turned around he saw Rossweisse naked and still getting dressed in her suit, she just looked at him and a blushed grew on her face he also grew a blush then turned around instantly, she was about to scream but he spoke first
Issei:(blushing) I'm really sorry I wasn't thinking straight, and I just walked in without knocking
Rossweisse: (blushing) I. It's fine but can you-
Issei: Can I talk to you about something?
Rossweisse:(concerned) What is it?
He could hear concern in her voice but kept his mind clear and took a deep breath before he spoke
Issei: Before I tell you please keep an open mind but first finish I'll keep looking this way It's important
Rossweisse: (slight blush) okay...
She continued to finish getting dressed Issei didn't dare make a noise to not make her uncomfortable he just rested his head on the door and focused on his breathing his lungs started to get tight his chest felt like it was constricting the more he forced his body to something
Rossweisse: Okay I'm done.
He turned around and saw her dressed in her suit and her hair was done slightly differently but he didn't say anything.
Rossweisse: How are you feeling since the other day? Your attitude towards them completely changed, Does what you want to talk about have to do something that?
Issei: Yes, it does... and my attitude change towards them is valid they... killed me...
Rossweisse:(trying to stay calm) p. Please elaborate.
Issei took off his shirt and she saw black marks taking scale form on his body with the veins running around his limbs
Issei: This is my body dying... before you say anything let me fully explain.
She nodded with tears building in her eyes.
Issei: You see dragons are emotional creatures, and as such when a dragon gets hurt by a mate it has very negative effects, we either turn evil or die... I'm dying I'm getting weaker as we speak, Ddraig found a way to save me but it's not a permanent solution right now it could also kill me... I'm just so tired *tearing up* I don't want to die there's still so much I want to do but they killed me...*crying* After I fight Sairaorg I could very much drop dead and not get up I'm scared I don't know what to do anymore
He just stood there with tears running down his face, Rossweisse wasn't feeling any better she had a few tears of her own Issei became a good friend to her and now she was going to have to watch him die
She came and brought him into a hug and he held her tight and she did the same
Rossweisse: (trying to stay calm) Issei *sniff* Who else knows
Issei:(crying) You Ddraig and myself.
Rossweisse: Why don't I tell Sirzechs or even Azazel about your condition?
Issei: (crying) Telling anyone else will only give me a little time and more fake love from the others in this god-forsaken house.
He gripped tighter on her shirt, and she tightened her grip on him and just held him to help him relax
Rossweisse: (calming down) Okay take a deep breath, If there's nothing to do then we live your life to the fullest in the next few days before the fight but I would suggest telling Ravel and Irina, Irina clearly loves you the most and Ravel is meant to be looked after by you so your death would also affect her a lot
Issei: (calming down) I'll tell them when I move out, I'm pretty sure Irina is going to follow me and Ravel too, I'll tell them then, I might end up moving tomorrow morning, and I would like you to come visit, please
She let go of him and looked him in the eyes, she could see how broken he was about this
Rossweisse: Before we leave for school mind if I try some helping or try to conceal it for you
Issei: Sure go ahead.
He sat on the edge of her bed, and she sat behind him and tried some healing magic on him, but Issei winced in pain and they saw that the veins slowly started spreading again a green gem grew off his hand it glowed green and Ddraig's voice could be heard.
Ddraig: I thought as much I'll keep looking partner, but it doesn't look like healing magic will heal you.
Rossweisse: And sage magic?
Ddraig: unclear about it we would have to try it but with someone who has experience, I would suggest the yasaka in Kyoto or that black cat If need be...
Issei: (tired) we can handle it later, let's go to school
Issei's body felt exhausted and tired like he hadn't slept for the past few days he could feel himself getting more and more tired too fast for comfort, Rossweisse could see it on his face his fatigue was serious
Rossweisse: Are you sure you will be able to handle school today?
She put the back of her hand toward his forehead and his body was cold very cold Some would think he was dead, She had a very concerned look on her face, but she saw a light in his eye that made her think otherwise
Issei: (tired) Yeah I'm sure, but I'm also sure Sona would find out through Saji dragons can feel when a dragon is falling so, they would probably make me go home to rest and not do anything but I still want to go
Rossweisse: All alright then I'll still be keeping an eye on you though.
Issei: (tired) and I appreciate it, thank you sensei.
He bowed and left.
Rossweisse: he's changed a lot...
As Issei left Rossweisse's room he took a deep breath and then went in search of Irina, he walked around aimlessly, the thoughts of wanting to be more, to do more and even be somebody he could be happy with completely shattered, he was lost motivation to do a lot of things school didn't even seem to what wonderful to even continue to have an accomplishment anymore, the void in his chest grew and it felt horrible
???: issei...
He turned and saw his mother and father Standing behind him looking guilty
Issei: (tired) What is it, wanting to belittle me even more...
Miki: it's not that it's not at that at all I want to apologize to you what we did was unfair to you and I don't want you to leave please my baby
Gouro: yes, son please don't leave we want you around.
Issei(tired)...too little too late, the damage is done, I'll never see you as my parents, not after you sided with strangers rather than your own flesh and blood you made a choice I made mine I'm leaving and there's nothing you can do about it...
He walked away leaving them alone in the hallway, his tone was cold and empty of emotion as if he didn't care about anything any more, It broke Mikis heart seeing the cold look in his eyes and lack of emotion she couldn't help but feel guilty for hurting him like this
Miki:(tearing up) what have we done...
Gouro: (sad) he's right when I think about it when last have we done anything nice or good for him, when last did we even tell him we love him??
Miki:(crying more) were horrible parents, we haven't even spent time with him personally, he even brought girls home and the first thing we did was give them our love and attention and not towards him
Gouro:(sad) There has to be a way to fix this.
Issei walked downstairs and found Irina and Ravel talking, he walked towards them and tried to look okay for them but not give it away too much yet
Issei:(tired) Morning you two, when did you get here ravel?
Ravel: This morning, I wanted to see you and see how you're holding up
Issei: (tired) I'm miserable...
Irina: (concerned) What happened darling?
Issei: (tired) I'll tell you when I move out, promise *smiles*
Seeing him smile calmed them down a bit knowing he was hurting a lot but something was off they could see really is miserable but don't want to make him feel pressured into anything by prying right now
Irina: When are you moving?
Issei: (tired) Soon, I hope I hate being in this house...
Ravel: Let me know what I can help with, please
Issei: Don't worry I'm only taking clothes and that's it the place is furnished already remember?
Irian: (thinking back) Oh yea.
Revel: Hey Irina are you going to move with him?
She smiled and nodded and held his hand she could feel the cool touch of his but just held his hand tighter to try and warm it up he held her hand tight as well
Irina:(happy) It's been a dream of mine to live with the one I love, being here didn't feel right.
Issei: (tired) I agree, Ravel what about you want to move in too if Irina doesn't mind, We can share a room and you can have the other one to yourself
Irina: (happy) Oh I don't mind at all.
Ravel(surprised) are you being serious?
The other girls started coming down they could hear isseis voice carrying down the stairwell and they could hear how he spoke he was more energetic with Irina and Ravel than them
Issei: (tired) Yeah why not I made a promise to look after you and moving with me will make it easier
Ravel: (happy) then I'll move in the day after you move in
Irina: (happy) This is going to be so fun.
Xenovia:(confused) what's going on? Issei why is she moving with you
Issei: (tired) none of your concern for either of you
He spoke with authority, and it made them feel uncomfortable they sat down and then Issei stood up
Issei: I'll see you later at school, I need to go talk to Saji about something
He kissed Irina and messed up Ravel's hair.
Ravel: (angry)BAKA don't mess up my hair
Issei(smiling) to late.
He left and left all the girls alone
Asia: he's becoming even more distant from us
Rias: I don't know what to do
Miki: But I have an idea.
They all looked at his mother he clearly had been crying.
With Issei he took a fast walk to the school he would use magic but if it was going to kill him rather not unless it was needed and went straight to the student council, On Inside of the room, they were all working diligently then Momo saw Saji start crying
Momo(concerned) gen-kun is something wrong.
They all looked at him shedding tears with a concerned look
Saji: (slightly crying) Issei no...
The door opened and low and behold Issei stood in it they could see the dead look in his eyes and Saji put down his work and went and the two left no questions asked.
Sona: What was that about?
Tsubaki: Do you wish for some if we go see it?
Sona: no given recent events I believe it's a dragon thing they can feel the emotion to a greater extent so Issei probably just needs a friend.
Tomoe: I still can't believe they did that to Issei though
Sona: I agree but let's get done school starts soon.
With the two dragons
They both just walked to a secluded part of the school and Saji really broke.
Saji(crying) No please don't tell me, Vritra told me as you came Please tell me it's a lie
Issei:(sad) no its real, look
Issei raised his sleeve and Saji saw the black scales on his arms
Issei: (tired) it's spread all over my body, look it's part of the reason why I asked you here.
Saji: Then why?
Issei: (tired) I want you to tell serafall without telling Sona, I need help and I don't need Sirzechs knowing yet and I believe serafall can help me
Saji: But I wouldn't be able to do that without Sona knowing something or stopping me entirely
Issei: (tired) Tell her it's a dragon matter and that Issei wants it to be kept to a certain few and tell her Issei was at the café, shell know what I mean I want you to tell serafall to look into dragon healing magic.
Saji: All alright but why
Issei: (tired) Ddraig made a spell to help me but it got too high of a chance to kill me and right now healing magic is killing me faster, We want to try sage magic but then I need to go to yasaka or kuroka
Saji: You brave to go to that cat for help but you never know it might just be the reason you live
Issei(tired) but please have her look into dragon healing and let me know what you find
Saji: Of course, man I won't let you down
Issei nodded and then the two went their separate ways
Saji went back to the council room. And they all looked concerned for him even Sona showed some concern but kept her cool about the situation.
Saji: Sona may I request a meeting with moau leviathan?
Sona: (raised eyebrow) Why...
Saji: It's a personal matter between Issei and I
Sona: If he wants to talk to her, he can come ask me personally.
Saji: he was at the café
Sona's eyes went wide and the rest of the peerage saw this a few of the girls with that day's eyes widened as well realizing the position they were in now
Saji:" Wow that worked what did they all do they all look shocked"
Sona: (concerned) Very well but I would request to be brought in as well I want to help in any regard.
Saji: So be it, we need to work fast we don't have time.
There was a determined look on his face he's never been this serious before and to the girls it looked good on him
With Issei he walked to class and sat down there were already some people in the class being akia Katase and Myumaura
Akia: Hey Hyoudou not trying to peek at any girls today?
Issei:(tired) it's not Hyoudou, I left my old family...
Katase: (confused) What why?
Issei:(tired) Reasons that don't concern you, now leave me alone it hasn't been a good few days...
He rested his head on his arms and tried to keep to himself, Irina Xenovia and Asia walked in the 3 walked to him when Asia and Xenovia tried to touch him he just pulled away from them they then walked away with sad faces but Irina she held him and made him feel comfortable
Katase: hey what's going on normally those 4 are close but now he hasn't given them the time of day
Akia: hmmmm
Myumura: issei are you dying?
The class looked at her and then at him with shocked faces his current appearance wasn't looking great, Irina had a concerned look on her face and held his hand and this time her heart was racing his skin was ice cold to the touch this time worse than this morning, he slowly raised his head and looked at her and gave her a soft smile she then came and stood behind him
Issei(tired) what gives you that idea?
Akia: You are looking pale, very pale...
He could see it on her face she was concerned about his current appearance, and he could feel the grip Irina holding his hand
Issei(tired) Like I said none of your concern, plus even if I was, I wouldn't want your pity, no one in this class is my friend, and I'm 90% sure none of you personally even like to talk to me so again leave me alone
This struck a chord in the class, they saw a side of him they didn't even know existed, Xenovia and Asia started to fear the worst for him
Myumura: then what about Irina isn't she your friend?
Issei: (tired) No she's not... she's my girlfriend...
Irina just blushed and smiled then wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.
It shocked the class a lot that Irina was his girlfriend, Xenovia and Asia couldn't even think straight anymore, they just felt empty inside. After a long school day Issei walked to the orc club room Upon entering they all felt happy that he was coming back here and hoped that they could fix it
He walked in and they smiled at him
Rias(happy) hello issei
Issei(tired)..., I'm leaving the ORC I don't have time for it nor do I want to be here, I've only come for Ravel, come on Ravel I got the keys early We can move in now
Ravel: (surprised) Oh okay let's go
she quickly started packing her things
Issei:(tired) Yeah let's go Irina already waiting for us
They two left leaving the whole club confused. Akeno and Kiba were beyond shocked Asia and Xenovia started to shed tears along with Rias while Koneko was just lost in thought.
Akeno(shocked)(tearing up) did he just...
Kiba(shocked) yea he did...
Asia(crying) he's left us for good *sniff*
Xenovia(tearing up) This can't happen
Rias:(tearing up) No I refuse for him to leave my side we may need to try that idea of mothers.
She got up and her peerage followed her.
With Issei and ravel they quickly got back to the apartment and Irina was inside boiling some water for them
Issei:(tired) we are back.
Irina: (smiles) Welcome back my love and hello Ravel it's good to see you
Issei:(tired) right, before we do anything I need to talk to the two of you about smoothing important
They could see the look of concern on both their faces he could hear their hearts beating more as he brought up the topic.
Ravel: (worried) Is everything okay?
Issei:(tired) No its not, not in the slightest
The girls could feel that something was off, his neutral appearance went to that of despair and hopelessness.
Irina: (concerned) darling are you okay?
Ravel: (concerned) what's going on?
Issei took a deep breath and spoke he told them everything Their eyes widened and then their tears started forming they even started crying Irina just held him crying her heart out and Ravel could on find the strength to hold his hand, it hurt them a lot he was a special person to the both of them in different ways for Irina the love of her life and ravel a close friend that's changed her life a lot
Ravel: (crying) Please let me try Phoenix tears
Issei: (tired) Don't, please don't, the magic is only going to aggravate it and only kill me faster, Sage magic is the only one out of everything it's the one thing Ddraig is probably going to be the safest, but I don't know what I'm going to do any more
He sunk into the couch and the girls just hugged his sides and he wrapped his arms around them, They could feel how cold he was it only made them cry more knowing that hes slowly dying in front of them
Irina: (crying) Please don't fight I know it's a selfish request but please I can't lose you.
Her wings started turning grey and he just put his hand on her head to make her look at him
Issei: (tired) I have to, As much as it could kill me, I made a promise to Sairaorg that we will have a good fight and I'll give it to him, please I know how much you love me, and I love you too but I have to not for her but for myself to prove how strong I've become even if it kills me
Ravel(crying) What if you die while fighting, I'm sure Sirzechs-sama and the others would postpone it to try and get you more time he will move the whole of the underworld to make sure you survive.
Issei: (tired) I know he would, but I don't want the people who killed me to have a chance to talk to me I don't want them to get close to me, but now I just need to try and get through a day at a time, or I'm cut even shorter
Irina: No *sniff* you're not going to school *sniff* If you're going to fight we need you to rest and save your energy
Ravel: *sniff* I agree, Please let us look after you it's the least we can do because you've done a lot for us
Issei: (tired) Fine I'll stay... but you two aren't missing out on school got it I'll just sleep or talk with Ddraig or see if Saji has anything for me
Irina: What is he doing for you?
She started wiping her face trying to be strong for him Ravel slowly started doing the same trying to make him feel better
Issei(tired) I told him to talk to serafall if she can find a way to heal a dying dragon, I told him to keep it confidential between him and her and Sona if she insists on helping
Ravel: But for the time being we are keeping you alive the best we can
Issei: Thank you, you two it means a lot.
They both hugged him, and he hugged them back it slowly brought back some warmth to his body and they could feel him becoming warmer
Back at the Hyoudou mansion later that night
They all sat in silence they were all dressed up hoping to impress him with both his parents and the girls just had sad looks on their faces realizing he was not coming back to the house.
Rias(sad) Hopefully we can talk soon...